Control mechanism



Oct. 16, 1945.

C. A. ARENS CONTROL MECHANISM Filed June "24, 1942 l l l I l l l l l l ll INVENTOR.

BY: Via/77 Q. @ferai Q7/m Patented Oct. 16, i

CONTROL MECHANISM Charles A. Arens, milonga-lll., assigner to Arens Controls, Inc., Chicago, lll., a corporation-ol Illlno Anuman rune a4, 1942, sean No. 443,263

gol. 114-502) mal position and adaptedl for vernier or microm- 14 Claims.

This invention relates to control mechanisms, particularly of the manually operated type adapted for longitudinal reciprocation. Y

It is an objectof the invention to provide a control mechanismof the type stated which is of improved construction and operation, and more specically to provide an improved manually operable reciprocating Qontrol mechanism wherein the manually operable control member is adapted for accurately controlled Vernier or micrometer adjustments in various otits shifted positions, while at the same time being releasable for relatively free and rapid movement throughout its range of travel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control mechanism of the above specified type wherein the control member is readily releasable for its relatively free and rapid movements, and wherein the control member is smooth Vin operation.

A still further object of the invention is to proeter movements.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the control member in released position as when adapted for its free and rapid movements.

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view of the reactance and control members, and the associated control member engaging means, the view being taken as indicated by the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view generally similar to Figure 2, but showing a modiiied embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 is a detail perspective view of the re` actance member as used with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 8.

vide a control mechanism of the manually operable, longitudinally reciprocating type having improved means for eiecting the locking of the control member at accurately predetermined stations along its path of travel, means being additionally provided, if desired, for effecting the vernier or micrometer adjustments of the control member at other predetermined stations.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will appear from the following specication when taken with the'accompanying drawing wherein certain preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawing, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Figure l is Ja general assembly view of a control mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and embodying the features thereof. y

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View through a portion of the control mechanism of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the control member released for its relatively free and rapid movement.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of the reactance member forming a part of the control mechanism.

Figure 5 is a detail illustrative view, on a considerably enlarged scale, showing Jthe manner of cooperation between the reactance member and the control member, when the latter is in its nor- Referring more particularly to the drawing, and iirst to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures l-7, the control mechanism illustrated is of the type wherein a manually operable, longitudinally reciprocable control member is connected to operate an elongated transmission mechanism which in turn is connected to operate the device to be controlled. It is to be understood, however, that the invention in its various aspects is adapted for use with other types of control mechanisms, including mechanisms having other types of longitudinally shiftable members adapted for either Vernier movements or relatively free and rapid'movements, as may be desired.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the structure illustrated comprises a housing l@ adapted to be anchored to or mounted upon a panel il by means of a pair of nuts i2 and i3, and a frame sleeve it. More speciiically, the frame sleeve is provided with a threaded end portion i5 adapted for engagement with a threaded counterbore in the housing, the nuts i2 and i3 also being threaded onto the sleeve portion i5 in a manner so as to clamp the panel i l between the housing and the nuts. A washer i6 is interposed between the nuts and the panel. The panel may, for example, be the dashboard or instrument panel of an automotive vehicle or aircraft as where the control mechanism is used in a structure of this character.

The opposite end of the frame sleeve I4 is\ provided with an enlargement I8 to which one end of the flexible sheath I9 of a flexible cable structure is anchored. The sheath I9 may, for example, comprise a wire coil or the like, as is customary in flexible cable structures. The opposite end of the sheath is anchored to a bracket 20 mounted upon a panel 2| associated withy the device 22 to be, controlled. The controlled device as illustrated is in the form of a lever pivotally mounted at 23 upon the 4panel 2|, and adapted for connection with the control mecha- 'I'he shiftable elements of the control mecha.- nism, for controlling the position of the lever 22, comprise a control member 25 reciprocable within the frame sleeve I4 4and the housing I0. through an opening 25 in the housing in line with the counterbore into which the frame sleeve I4 is threaded. 'Ihe control member 25 is in the form of an elongated screw, provided with a helical'screw thread substantially Aalong its entire length. One end of the control member carries a handle or knob 21 removably secured to the end of the control member by means of a set screw or the like 28. 'I'he opposite end of the control screw or control member 25 is provided with a threaded counterbore into which the socket member 30 of a ball and socket structure is `threadedly secured. The ball part or member 3l of the ball and socket structure is in turn anchored in suitable manner to the end of a wire 32 and associated wire coil 33, the wire 32 and wire coil 33 being shiftable bodily within the flexible sheath i3. As shown in Figure 1, the end of the rwire 32 is secured 'to the lever 22 to effect the actuation thereof. It will be seen that as the control member 25 is longitudinally positioned within the frame sleeve I4 and associated housing I0, the lever 22 to be Y controlledwill be correspondingly positioned.

Further. by reason of the ball and socket connection 35,.'31, the control member or screw 25 may be pivoted relative to the end of the wire 32, and'als'o rotated relative thereto, without imparting a corresponding rotation to the Wire.

As bestrshown in Figures 1 and 2, the internal larger than the external diameter of the screw assays? As indicated in Figures 2, 3, 'and '4, the lower ena of the reactance member as is provided with a pair of transverse'slots 40 and 4I whereby to provide a plurality of transverse projections or teeth 42, 43, and 44 engageable with the screw thread of the control member 25. When thereactance screw 35 is in assembled position, it is so arranged that the projections 42, 43 and 44 thereof assume a pitch corresponding to the pitch of the screw 25, for cooperation therewith.

'I'he lower end of the threaded bore 35 of the housing carries locking or engaging means for normally resilently urging the screw25 upwardly into the position shown in Figure 2, in locking engagement with the projections 42, 43 and 44 of the reactance member. This locking or engaging means comprises a slide member 45 vertically reciprocable within the bore 35 of the housing, and provided with a counterbore for the reception of a compression spring 41. The spring is urged into engagement with the slide member by means of a threaded plug 48 screw threaded into the housing bore 35 and provided at its upper end with a projection 43 around which the end member 25, the bore 25 ofthe housing also being somewhat larger than the screw, whereby to permit the screw to be'pivotally moved from its normal horizontal position as indicated in Figure 2 to a somewhat vangularly disposed position, as shown in Figure 3. As indicated in Figure 1, the bore 'or opening 25 of the housing is preferably of oval shape, having its major dimension vertically disposed, so that the opening may relatively closely embrace the screw at the sides while permitting its vertical shifting as stated.

`A reactance member 35 .is screw-threaded into a threaded bore 35 in the housing I Il, extending vertically therethrough as best shown in.Fi'gures 2 and 3. 'I'he reactance member is generally in the form of a. set screw or the like, and is shown in perspective detailin Figure 4. At its upper end, the reactance member is provided with a kerf or slot 31 by means of which it may be threaded into the bore of the housing and brought to any desired predetermined rotational position. A positioning or anchoring screw 33 is threaded into a horizontal counterbore in the housing l5, the arrangement being such thatv after the reactance device or screw 35 has been brought into the desired position, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the positioning or anchoring screw 33 may lthen be screwed into locking engagement with the reactance screw to hold it in its adjusted position. This adjustment of the screws may be made before the housing is mounted upon the panel Il.

of the spring is positioned. By threaded adjustment of the plug 43, the slide 45 may be resiliently urged upwardly by means of the spring providing a predetermined pressure engagement diameter of. the frame sleeve I4 is somewhat v4.0 ing to Figure 3, Referring to Figure 5, it wm be seen that when the control screw and reactance member are in engaged position, the vertically disposed side walls of the screw thread and of the projections 42, 43 and 44 provide positive locking resistance against longitudinal movement of the control member. In this position of the parts, the control member 25 may be rotated, whereupon, by reason of the screw threaded engagement with the reactance member, vernier or micrometer adjustments or movements will be impartedto the control wire 32 and the lever 22. At the same time, the engaging means or slide member 45 holds the parts in engaged or interlocked position, so that even relatively heavy stresses applied to the wire 32 will cause no disengagement or inadvertent longitudinal shifting of the control member. In most instances,v it is desirable to provide substantially vertical side walls on the screw thread and the projections 42, 43 and 44, although it is to be understood that if desired the side walls may be of somewhat V-shape, or relieved at the crown portions of the projections and the thread, so that a predetermined longitudinal force applied to the con- Y member so that as the control member is thrust downwardly by handle 21 into disengaged position, and thereafter shifted longitudinally, smooth operation is provided. This will be best understood by reference to Figure 6, wherein it will be seen that the relief 55 of the projection I2 insures that as the control lever is shifted to the right, smooth engagement between the projection 42 and the successive convolutions of the screw thread will take place. This feature is of particular desirability when the handle 21 is not thrust downwardly by the operator suillciently to effect complete disengagement between the parts, and thereupon pulled outwardly or to the right as seen in Figures 2 and 3.

Attention is further directed to the fact, as best shown in Figure 7, that the end of the reactance member which cooperates with the screw thread of the control member is substantially flat except for its grooves and projections, whereby to facilitate ready disengagement of the parts, and also to provide substantially surface engagement at the initial contacting point. Thus, referring to Figure 7, it will be seen that as the parts are brought into engagement, substantially surface contact is provided therebetween as indicated at 56. Also, it will be seen that to move the control member 25 from completely engaged to completely disengaged position requires only that the control member be shifted vertically a distance corresponding to the radial depth of the screw thread, or the depth of the slots 40 and 4I provided on the reactance member. If the lower end of the -reactance member were concavely shaped, a

greater shifting of the control member would be required between engaged and disengaged position, with attendant difficulties.

The operation of the structure is believed to be clear from the foregoing. With the parts in the position shown in Figure 2, rotation of the control member 25 imparts micrometer or Vernier control adjustments to the wire 32. Upon depression of the control member 25 to its Figure 3 position, it may be freely longitudinally shifted to impart a rapid and relatively free shifting to the wire 32.

In Figures 8 and 9 an embodiment of the invention is illustrated generally similar to that shown in Figures 1-7 but incorporating certain modifications. More specifically, in this instance, the control member 25a is provided at spaced intervals with annular grooves 80, the control member additionally being screw threaded as indicated at 6i between selected annular grooves.

The reactance member 35a is in this instance provided with but a single extension 62, this extension being shaped for cooperation with either the screw thread Bi or the annular grooves 62. To this end, as best shown in Figure 9, the extension 02 is provided with surfaces 83 and 64 adapted for cooperation with the screw thread, and surfaces S6 and 68 adapted for cooperation with the annular grooves.

When theV reactance member is brought selectively into engagement with one of the annular grooves 60, the control member 25a will .be maintained in accurately predetermined .position regardless of rotation. On the other hand, when the reactance member is in engagement with the screw thread Bi, rotation of the control member will impart micrometer control movements to the structure as in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1-7. the pattern of the annular grooves and the screw thread may be varied to suit the requirements of any particular installation, or the annular grooves may be used independently. y

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific structural embodiments ,set forth for purposes of illustration, without departing Obviously,

from the spirit of the invention. The invention is accordingly not to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A control mechanism comprising a reciprocable control member, a reactance member, said control member being in the form of a shaft provided with an external longitudinally extending screw thread and said reactance member having means formed thereon for interlocking engagement with the screw thread, and means comprising a manual control handle secured to the shaft member for shifting said shaft member laterf ally to eiect the selective engagement and disengagement thereof from the reactance member. said members being shiftable between engaged and disengaged positions by a movement no greater than the depth of said screw thread.

2. A control mechanism comprising a reciprocable control member, a reactance member, one of said members being cylindrical in shape and provided with an external longitudinally extending screw thread, and the other of said members having a substantially flat end surface-provided with grooves for interlocking engagement with the screw thread, and means for laterally shifting the screw threaded member to effect the selective engagement and disengagement thereof from said other member.

3. A control mechanism comprising a control member, said member being of general cylindrical shape and provided with an external longitudinally extending screw thread, a stationary reactance member, said reactance member comprising a stud-like member having a relatively fiat end surface provided with a projection adapted for interlocking engagement with the screw thread, means for shifting the control member to effect its selective engagement with and disengagement from the reactance member, and means for rotating the control member.

4. A control mechanism as dened in claim 3, wherein said reactance member is adjustably rotatable to position its interlocking projection to conform to the pitch of the control member screw thread.

5. A control mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said reactance member is adjustably rotatable to position its interlocking projection to conform to the pitch of the control member screw thread, and wherein screw threaded means is provided for locking the reactance member in ,a rotatably adjusted position.

6. A control mechanism comprising a housing,

said housing being provided with a pair of bores disposed in substantially right angular relation. a control member extending through the housing through one of said borsa-said member being provided with a longitudinally extending screw thread, a stud positioned in `one portion of the other of said bores, said stud having means formed on the end thereof adapted for interlocking engagement with the screw thread, and a spring-urged abutment member positioned in another portion of said other housing bore in resilient engagement with the control member and operative to urge the control member into resilient engagement with the stud, means for shifting the control member against the action of said abutment member to effect the selective engagement and disengagement of thecontrol member and the stud, and means for rotating the control member. A

7. A control mechanism comprising a frame housing, a housing sleeve adapted to be secured to said frame housing, said frame housing having a pair of bores in substantially right angular relation, an elongated control member rotatable and longitudinally reciprocable within said sleeve and within one of the bores of the frame housing, said control member being provided with a screw thread along a portion of its length, a reactance member supported in ilxed relation with respect to said sleeve in the other bore of the frame housing, said reactance member having means formed thereon for interlocking engagement with the screw thread, means for laterally shifting the control member to eii'ect selective engagement and disengagement with the reactance member, a flexible sheath comprising a wire coil one end of which is xedly secured to the housing sleeve, an elongated transmission member longitudinally shiftable within said flexible sheath, and universal connecting means connecting the end of said elongated transmission member to the end of the control member.

8. A control mechanism comprising a control member, said member being of general cylindrical shape and provided with a longitudinally extending screw thread, a housing provided with a bore through which said control member is adapted to extend, said housing being also provided with a second bore angularly disposed with respect to the first named bore and provided with a screw thread, a stud-like reactance member disposed in said second bore and having adjustable screw threaded engagement therewith, said reactance member being provided with a projection adapted for interlocking engagement with the screw thread, means for shifting the control member to effect its selective engagement with and disengagement from the reactance member, and a set screw carried by the housing and adapted to engage the stud-like reactance member whereby to lock it in position and hold its screw thread engaging projection in predetermined angular position.

9; A control mechanism comprising a control member, said member being of general cylindrical shape and being provided with a longitudinally extending screw thread along a. certain portion oi' the length thereof .and with an annular groove at another longitudinal portion thereof, a stationary reactance member, said reactance member having means thereon adapted tor interlocking engagement selectively with said screw thread or said annular groove, .and means for shitting the control member to eii'ect its selective engagement with and disengagement from the reactance member, said control member being adapted for longitudinal shifting and for rotating movements.

i0. A control mechanism comprising a housing, said housing being provided with a bore extending therethrough, an elongated control member arranged within said bore, said control member `being of general cylindrical shape and being provided with a longitudinally extending screw thread, a second cylindrical bore in said housing disposed substantially perpendicularly to the iirst bore, a stud-like reactance member arranged within said second bore. said reactance member being provided with a projection adapted for interlocking engagement with the screw thread of the control member, means for bodily shitting said control member to effect its selective engagement with and disengagement from the reactance, member, and a third bore arranged in the housing 4also substantially perpendicularly disposed in reference to the first housing bore,

and a compression spring arranged in the third bore and 'adapted to urge the control member into engagement with the stud-like reactance member.

11. A control mechanism comprising a frame, said frame being formed with an elongated tubelike portion, a control member reciprocable with respect to the frame and Within said tube-like 10 portion, a ilexible coil sheath iixed at one end to said frame tube-like portion, a control cable shittable within the sheath and fixed at one end to said control member, a reactance member xed to the frame, said reciprocable control mem- .ber being elongated and being provided with a longitudinally extending screw thread and the reactance member having means formed thereon for interlocking engagement with the screw thread, and means for shifting the reciprocable v control member perpendicularly to its axis to eiect its selective engagement and disengagement from the reactance member, said members being shiftable between engaged and disengaged positions by a movement no greater than the depth of said screw thread.

12. A control mechanism comprising a frame, said frame being formed with an elongated tube- -like portion, a control member reciprocably mounted with respect to the frame and within said tube-like portion, a flexible coil sheath iixed at one end to said frame tube-like portion, a control cable shiftable within the sheath and iixed at one end to said control member, a reactance member iixed to the frame, said control member being elongated and being provided with a longitudinally extending screw thread and said reactance member having means formed thereon for interlocking engagement with the screw thread, and means for shifting said control memg) ber substantially perpendicularly to the axis of said screw thread to effect its 'selective engagement with and disengagement from the reactance member, at least one of said members at the point of initial engagement therebetween being rounded to facilitate relative sliding movement between the members.

13. A control mechanism comprising a housing, said housing being provided with a bore extending therethrough, an elongated control member arranged within said bore, said control member being of general cylindrical shape and being provided with a longitudinally extending screw thread, a second cylindrical bore in said housing disposed substantially perpendicularly to the rst bore, a stud-like reactance member arranged within said second bore in adjustable screw threaded engagement therewith, said reactance member being provided with a projection adapted for interlocking engagement with the screw thread of the control member, means for locking said reactance member in adjusted position, means for bodily shifting said control memberto effect its selective engagement with and disengagement from the reactance member, and

05 a third bore arranged in the housing also subgagement with and disengagement from the 10 Y reactance member, and a third bore arranged in the housing also substantially perpendicularly Y disposed in reference to the first housing bore, a. compression spring arranged in the third bore and adapted `to urge the control member into engagement with the stud-like reactance member, and a plug member having screw threaded engagement with said third housing bore and operable to adjust the tension of said spring.

CHARLES A. ARENS. 

